Determination of microgramme quantities of dissolved sulphate in surface waters,soils and plants

A rapid and simple method is described for determining sulphate in surface waters and water extracts of soils by precipitating it as lead sulphate in 40% ethanol and measuring the residual lead in solution by means of an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Sulphate may be determined in concentrations as low as 1 ppm in the solutions. This method can also be used to determine sulphur in plant material after it has been converted to dissolved sulphate by combustion in an oxygen-filled flask.